The room was so dark, it felt like a cave. But it was the only place where they could all sit together and talk. Becky’s hostess stand was at the entrance to the back room, facing the front area with its small bar and big glass window overlooking the street.

“Becky, you know why we’re here,” Regan began.

Becky nodded. “I can’t believe it.”

“Can you please tell us what you saw?”

“I’ve been trying to remember everything. When that woman and Kit came in we gave them the front table by the stage because Kit was on crutches. I showed them to the table myself and made sure Kit was okay. This place was crowded, especially for a Monday night. But when it’s hot people don’t like to stay home. We finally got everyone seated, and then…Georgina?”

“Yes, that’s her name,” Regan answered.

“Georgina came hurrying past me, heading for the front door. I wanted to tell her that the show was about to start and she should go back to her seat but there was something strange and intimidating about her—”

“You got that right,” Kit said. “Something strange.”

“I saw her quickly light a cigarette as soon as she got outside. I figured she’d take a few puffs and be right back.” Becky paused, then frowned. “I watched her take her first puff. It wasn’t really a puff. It was a long, hard drag.”

“She told me she was trying to quit,” Kit said sarcastically.

“Then what happened?” Regan asked.

“Then someone came up to me and asked if they could change their table. They said they couldn’t see very well. We were just about full. I came back here with them and moved them to a table that I didn’t think was any good, but they liked it better. When I went back to my post I looked out and saw this really tall blond guy asking Georgina for a cigarette.”

“Had he been in here?” Regan asked.

Becky shook her head. “I don’t think so. The bar was empty by this time, and everyone had been seated. The only one out front was the bartender who was busy filling the waitress’s orders for the back tables. Clear as day, I could see Georgina’s face all lit up and smiling when she handed him the cigarette. I definitely remember that. You know that look a girl can get when a cute guy pays attention to them?”

“I somehow remember having that look myself,” Kit commented. “It was a long time ago.”

“Well, suddenly she seemed like a different person. All smiles. She hit him on the arm, playfully, and they laughed about something.”

“She hit me on the arm in the cab,” Kit grunted. “I’m pretty sure it’s now black and blue.”

Becky nodded at Kit, then continued. “Then I had to look at our reservations list and count the number of people we had seated. So my head was down for a few minutes. When I looked up they were getting in a cab.”